Amsterdam

Although most of the events described in the novel occur in London, the plot culminates in Amsterdam. Early in the novel, Clive and Vernon make a pact. They agree that one friend will euthanize the other if the latter should find himself in a sufficiently unfortunate condition. When the friendship sours, each man plots to exploit the liberal Dutch euthanasia laws to murder the other. When business engagements require both Clive and Vernon to travel to Amsterdam, both men use their visit to Amsterdam to perform their respective murders.

The Judge

The Judge is the daily journal for which Vernon Halliday is the editor-in- chief. Disagreements between past editors-in-chief and the board of directors lead to the successive dismissal of four such editors leaving an opening for Vernon to become the paper's leader. As editor-in-chief, Vernon tries desperately to reverse the Judge's declining circulation.